Refuse compactor slide bearing

ABSTRACT

A refuse compactor slide bearing for use in guiding the movement of the compactor ram along suitable guides to and from a compacting position within the compactor. The slide bearings are formed as one-piece elements having angularly related slide portions for slidably engaging corresponding angularly related portions of the ram guide means. The bearing slide portions may be formed as tongues resiliently connected to a base portion of the bearing by resilient connecting portions. The tongues are arranged to extend in a direction parallel to that defined by movement of the ram. The tongues may have different slide surface areas and configurations coordinated with the force transfer requirements. One of the slide portions includes a third tongue extending in the direction of movement of the ram toward the compacting position. Cooperating snap fastening means may be provided on the bearing on the ram assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to slide bearings and in particular to slidebearings for use in refuse compactors and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,744 of Frank E. Miller et al, which patent isowned by the assignee hereof, a refuse compactor support structure isshown wherein the ram assembly is guided for vertical reciprocalmovement toward and from the compacting position within the compactor onsuitable angular guide portions of the sheet metal frame.

In a number of prior art cabinet structures, wear pieces have beenutilized to provide means for facilitating sliding of one elementthereof relative to another.

Joseph F. Longo, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,595, shows a refuse compactorprovided with glide members secured to the upper and lower extremetiesof the ram carriage.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,444 of Leonard J. Yindra et al, shows a pedestaltable support column provided with vertically elongated bearing stripshaving protruding edge surfaces engaging a corner of the guide column.The flat face of the strip is in surface engagement with an outersurface of an inner column member.

Nicholas L. Manko shows, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,814, a baling presshaving a bolster that carries L-section wear strips.

Joseph Pallant et al disclose, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,378, the use ofnylon friction pads in a sliding track mechanism. The pads may includean upwardly projecting tongue to hold flanges of the guide channelagainst the underside of the slide member. In the assembled arrangement,the flanges are disengaged from the slide member to facilitate sliding.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,874 of Ernst Hassel shows use of turned wearingpieces on the upper and lower edges of a sliding drawer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprehends an improved slide bearing for use inrefuse compactors and the like to provide facilitated sliding movementof a movable member on suitable guides.

The slide bearing comprises a one-piece element having a base portionprovided with a pair of angularly related legs each of which is providedwith a tongue projecting from a resilient connection to the base portionso as to be offset, the tongue on the angularly related legs beingoffset toward a common space defined by the legs.

In the illustrated embodiment, the legs extend substantially at rightangles to each other.

In the use of the slide bearing in a refuse compactor wherein the ram isreciprocally mounted for movement along guides toward and from acompacting position within the compactor, the slide bearings arearranged so as to dispose the tongues in a direction extending along, orparallel to, the direction of ram movement.

The invention further comprehends the provision of a second tongue on atleast one of the legs extending oppositely to the first tongue thereon.

The invention further comprehends the provision of the tongues on thedifferent legs to define different facial slide surface areas. Morespecifically the invention comprehends the provision of a tongue havinga relatively large surface area to be mounted on the ram assembly so asto accommodate relatively large forces generated in one directiontransverse to the ram movement. The area of the tongue on the other legillustratively is less than the area on the first described leg so as tobe correlated with the lesser forces generated thereagainst in theoperation of the ram on the guides.

In the illustrated embodiment, the larger area tongue has a widthtransverse to the direction of movement of the ram substantially greaterthan the width of the tongue of the other leg.

The slide bearing may be formed as a low cost, one-piece moldedsynthetic resin element.

The slide bearing may be secured to the ram assembly by a snap fasteningmeans. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide bearing is provided withoutwardly projecting flanges adapted to be received in suitable slots inthe ram assembly for facilitated securing of the slide bearing to theram assembly. The flanges may comprise L-shaped turned flanges providingfacilitated snap fitting thereof to the ram assembly when insertedthrough the slots thereof. The flanges preferably extend in theirelongated direction parallel to the direction of movement of the ramassembly to provide an improved strong, secured mounting of the slidebearings to the ram assembly.

The slide bearing elements of the present invention are extremely simpleand economical of construction while yet providing an improved, low costmeans for slidably guiding movement of a movable member relative toelongated guides and more specifically, is advantageously adapted forimproved guiding of a ram assembly in a refuse compactor in its movementtoward and from the compacting position on the compactor guides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a refuse compactor utilizing slidebearings embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the arrangement ofthe ram assembly and guide frame structure with the slide bearings ofthe invention carried on the ram assembly for slidable engagement withguide portions of the frame structure;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 3--3of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view illustrating ingreater detail the mounting of the slide bearing of the invention on theram assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the slide bearing;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 7--7 ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 8--8 ofFIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in thedrawing, a refuse compactor generally designated 10 is shown to includean outer cabinet 11 and a movable receptacle 12 in the form of a drawerdefining a compacting space 13 when the drawer is moved into the cabinet11 from the access position of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thecompactor further includes a ram assembly generally designated 14 whichis slidably guided on guide corner portions 15 of a frame 16 within theouter cabinet 11. In the illustrated embodiment, four right angularlyarranged guide corner portions 15 are provided on frame 16 forcooperating with a plurality of slide bearings generally designated 17carried on the ram assembly in slidably guiding the ram in verticallyreciprocal movement downwardly into compacting position within thedrawer space 13 and upwardly therefrom to a retracted position above thedrawer, permitting the drawer to be moved to the access position of FIG.1 when desired.

The invention is concerned with an improved construction for such slidebearings. The use of the slide bearings in the refuse compactor isillustrative only, it being understood that the slide bearing structureis adapted for use in a wide range of applications as will be obvious tothose skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ram assembly is forcibly movedbetween the retracted and compacting positions by means of a pair ofthreaded power rods 18 which are suitably rotated about fixed axes so asto thread through nut devices 19 carried on a top portion 20 of the ramassembly 14. As further seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ram assembly definesfour corner portions generally designated 21 which extend in slightlyinwardly spaced relationship to the guide corners 15 of frame 16. Theslide bearings 17 are mounted to the ram corner portions 21 for slidablyengaging the guide corner portions 15 and thereby providing facilitatedsliding movement of the ram assembly in the frame guides.

As indicated above, the invention comprehends an improved constructionof the slide bearings 17. Each of the slide bearings 17 is similar and,thus, the description relative to the showing of the slide bearings inFIGS. 4-8 is pertinent to each of the slide bearings shown in FIG. 3.More specifically, as seen in FIG. 4, the slide bearing comprises aone-piece element having a base portion generally designated 22 defininga first leg 23 and a second leg 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the legs 23 and24 extend angularly to each other. As best seen in FIG. 6, the angularextension is slightly greater than 90° so that the legs are retainedagainst the right angularly extending surfaces 25 and 26 of the ramassembly corner 21 under a slight pressure. In the illustratedembodiment, the angularity is in the range of approximately 95° to 98°.The angularity is imparted by suitably arranging the configuration of ahinge portion 27 of base portion 22 at such an over-formed angle.

The slide bearing is preferably formed of a molded synthetic resin, suchas nylon, and the hinge portion 27 may be effectively molded at thedesired overformed angle.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the ram assembly corner may beprovided with a first vertically elongated slot 28 opening throughsurface 25 and a second vertically elongated slot 29 opening throughsurface 26. The distal edge of the slide bearing leg 23 is provided witha rearwardly extending turned flange 30 and the distal end of the leg 24is provided with a rearwardly extending turned flange 31. At least oneof the flanges 30 and 31 defines an L-section and in the embodiment asillustrated in FIG. 6, flange 30 defines an L-section. To ensure thatflange 31 is frictionally engaged with the edge of slot 29, a pair ofspaced protrusions 40 are provided on bearing leg 23, as shown in FIGS.5 and 6. When the slide bearing 17 is snapped in place on the ramassembly corner 21, the protrusions 40 bear against surface 25 of theram assembly and urge flange 31 into the desired frictional engagementwith slot 29. Thus, the flanges effectively cooperate with the slots indefining snap fastening means for retaining the slide bearing on thesurfaces 25 and 26, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As the direction of elongation, or maximum dimension, of the flanges 30and 31 is in the direction of movement of the ram along the guideportions 15, maximum strength of retention is provided, though theflanges are relatively thin.

The slide bearing further defines a pair of resilient slide surfaceportions including a first such portion 32 comprising a tongue connectedto the base portion leg 23 by a resilient connecting portion 33. Leg 24of the slide bearing defines a second tongue 34 connected to the baseportion thereof by a resilient connecting portion 35.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the second leg 24 may be provided witha third tongue 36 connected to the base portion 22 by a resilientconnecting portion 37. Each of the tongues is caused to extend in offsetrelationship to the base portion 22 so as to extend therefrom intosliding engagement with the confronting surface of the frame guideportion 15, as illustrated in FIG. 3. As further shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and4, tongues 32 face in a front-to-back direction of the compactor,aligned parallel to the centerline plane 38 of the axes of the powerscrew 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It has been determined that theloads on the ram assembly guides are greater in a front-to-backdirection relative to the power screw axial plane than in a side-to-sidedirection parallel to the plane. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the surfacearea of tongue 32 and the width thereof is preferably made substantiallygreater than the surface area and the width of the tongues 34 and 36which, as discussed above, normally need to accommodate lesser pressureforces in the sliding movement of the ram assembly on the guides.

By virtue of the offset projection of the tongues toward the spacedefined by the corner surfaces 25 and 26, substantial manufacturingtolerances can be accommodated while yet assuring an effective, freelysliding movement of the ram assembly on the frame guides. The extensionof the tongues 32 and 34 from their connecting portions in a directionparallel to the direction of ram assembly movement effectively minimizesthe possibility of breakage of the slide bearings. Further, as tongue 32is generally arcuate, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tongue may bereadily slidably urged by the guide in either direction of movement ofthe ram assembly. Similarly, the extension of the lower tongue 36 in thedownward direction facilitates sliding action during movement of the ramassembly to the retracted position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tongues are under slight compressivepressure in the installed arrangement, such as shown in FIG. 3. Thus,the one-piece slide bearing effectively accommodates a wide range oftolerances both in the front-to-back and side-to-side direction betweenthe ram assembly and the ram guide means. As the ram assembly and frame16 may be defined by formed sheet metal structures, substantial economyis obtained by eliminating the need to maintain precise manufacturingtolerances in the forming processes.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention inwhich an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined asfollows:
 1. In a refuse compactor having a ram assembly, moving meansfor moving the ram assembly alternatively toward and from a compactingposition, and guide means extending in the direction of movement of theram assembly for guiding the ram assembly, said guide means including afirst guide facing in a first direction transversely to said directionof movement of the ram assembly and a second guide facing substantiallyperpendicularly to said first guide in a second direction transverselyto said direction of movement, the improvement comprisinga one-piecebearing disposed between said ram assembly and said guide means andhaving a first base portion fixed to said ram assembly and a first slideportion carried by said first base portion for slidably engaging saidfirst guide, and a second base portion fixed to said ram assembly and asecond slide portion carried by said second base portion for slidablyengaging said second guide, at least one of said slide portions beingresiliently carried by a base portion.
 2. In a refuse compactor having aram assembly, moving means for moving the ram assembly alternativelytoward and from a compacting position, said ram assembly defining aright angular bearing mounting portion, and a right angle guideextending longitudinally in the direction of movement of the ramassembly for guiding the ram assembly, including a first leg facing in afirst direction transversely to said direction of movement of the ramassembly and a second leg facing substantially perpendicularly to saidfirst leg in a second direction transversely to said direction ofmovement, the improvement comprisinga one-piece bearing having a firstbase portion fixed to said ram assembly and a first slide portionresiliently carried by said first base portion for slidably engagingsaid first guide leg, and a second base portion fixed to said ramassembly and a second slide portion extending perpendicularly to saidfirst slide portion and being resiliently carried by said second baseportion for slidably engaging said second guide leg, said bearing baseportions being mounted in right angularly extending relationship on saidright angular bearing mounting portion of the ram assembly.
 3. For usewith a refuse compactor having a ram assembly, moving means for movingthe ram assembly alternatively toward and from a compacting position,and guide means extending in the direction of movement of the ramassembly for guiding the ram assembly movement, said guide meansincluding a first guide facing in a first direction transversely to saiddirection of movement of the ram assembly and a second guide disposedangularly with respect to said first guide and facing in a seconddirection transversely to said direction of movement, an improved slidebearing comprisinga one-piece bearing on said ram assembly having afirst base portion fixed to said ram assembly and a first, generallyarcuate, slide portion resiliently carried by said first base portionfor slidably engaging said first guide and a second base portion fixedto said ram assembly and a second slide portion being resilientlycarried by said second base portion for slidably engaging said secondguide.
 4. The refuse compactor structure of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein atleast one of said slide portions is elongated in said direction ofmovement of the ram assembly.
 5. The refuse compactor structure ofclaims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said slide portions are elongated in saiddirection of movement of the ram assembly.
 6. The refuse compactorstructure of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one of said slideportions comprises a tongue having a free distal end projecting in adirection parallel to the path of ram movement.
 7. The refuse compactorstructure of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said slide portions comprisetongues each having a free distal end projecting in a direction parallelto the path of ram movement.
 8. The refuse compactor structure of claims1, 2 or 3 wherein said slide portions comprise tongues each having afree distal end projecting in a direction parallel to the path of rammovement, and at least one of said slide portions including a secondtongue having a free distal portion projecting in the opposite directionalong the path of ram movement.
 9. The refuse compactor structure ofclaims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said bearing and ram assembly are provided withcooperating interlock means for securing the bearing to said ramassembly.
 10. The refuse compactor structure of claims 1, 2 or 3 whereinsaid bearing and ram assembly are provided with cooperating interlockmeans for securing the bearing to said ram assembly, said interlockmeans comprising structural portions defining slots extending in saiddirection of movement of the ram assembly and complementary projectionsextending into said slots.
 11. A one-piece slide bearing comprising:abase portion defining a first leg and a second leg extending angularlythereto; a first tongue having a connecting portion resilientlyconnected to said first leg, and a slide portion offset from said firstleg; and a second tongue having a connecting portion resilientlyconnected to said second leg, and a slide portion offset from saidsecond leg, said offset portions of the tongues extending toward acommon space defined by said legs.
 12. A one-piece slide bearingcomprising:a base portion defining a first leg and a second legextending angularly thereto; a first tongue having a connecting portionresiliently connected to said first leg, and a slide portion offset fromsaid first leg; a second tongue having a connecting portion resilientlyconnected to said second leg, and a slide portion offset from saidsecond leg, said offset portions of the tongues extending toward acommon space defined by said legs; and fastener means projecting fromsaid legs for use in securing the slide bearing to a mounting element.13. The one-piece slide bearing of claims 11 or 12 wherein a thirdoffset tongue is provided on said second leg extending oppositely tosaid second tongue.
 14. The one-piece slide bearing of claims 11 or 12wherein a third offset tongue is provided on said second leg extendingoppositely to said second tongue, said third tongue being offset fromsaid second leg similarly as said second tongue.
 15. The one-piece slidebearing of claims 11 or 12 wherein said slide portion of the firsttongue defines an area substantially greater than the area of said slideportion of the second tongue.
 16. The one-piece slide bearing of claims11 or 12 wherein the width of said slide portion of the first tongue issubstantially greater than the width of the slide portion of the secondtongue.
 17. The one-piece slide bearing of claims 11 or 12 wherein saidbase portion defines a resilient hinge connecting the angularly relatedlegs.
 18. The one-piece slide bearing of claim 12 wherein said fastenermeans comprises turned flanges.
 19. The one-piece slide bearing of claim12 wherein said fastener means comprises turned flanges at least one ofwhich defines an L-section.
 20. The one-piece slide bearing of claim 12wherein said fastener means comprises a turned flange formed integrallywith each of said legs and connected thereto along an axis extending inthe direction of extension of said tongues.